10:00 minute mark. Senator said they received tax money. It’s a argument with distinctions.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) generally does not receive direct taxpayer funding or tax money from the federal government. It is designed to be a self-sustaining agency that generates revenue through the sale of postage, products, and services.
However, there are a few important nuances:
1. The USPS can borrow money from the U.S. Treasury, though there are limits on how much it can borrow.
2. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the USPS did receive some emergency federal funding through the CARES Act to help maintain operations.
3. The USPS receives small amounts of federal funding for specific services like free mail for the blind and subsidized mail for overseas voters.
Other than these exceptions, the Postal Service operates almost entirely on its own revenue. This is different from many other federal agencies, which are funded through congressional appropriations from tax dollars. The USPS's financial model is why you see them charging for services and why they face unique challenges in maintaining financial sustainability while fulfilling their universal service obligation.